Replacing <figure> by
<informalfigure> eliminates the
need to insert a title for the picture.

There's still the float
attribute on which the value 0 indicates that
the picture should be placed exactly where the tag appears. The
value 1 allows the picture to be moved to a
more convenient location (this location can be described on the
style sheet, or it can be controlled by the application).

D.5.1. Graphics formats

When
submitting graphics to the LDP, please submit one
set of graphics in .eps, and
another in .gif,
.jpg or .png. The preferred format is
.png or .jpg due to patent problems with
.gif.

You can use .jpg files for
continuous-tone images such as photos or images with gradual
changes in color. Use .png
for simple images like diagrams, some screen shots, and images
with a low number of colors.

D.5.2. Alternative Methods

The first alternative to Example D-6
is to eliminate the <figure> or
<informalfigure> elements.

Another interesting alternative when you have
decided to publish the text on media where pictures
are not accepted, is the use of a wrapper, <imageobject>.

This method presents an advantage: a better
control of the application. The elements <imageobject> are consecutively tested
until one of them is accepted. If the output format does not
support images the <textobject>
element will be used. However, the biggest advantage in usage
of the format Example D-7
is that in DocBook 5.0, the <graphic> element will cease to
exist.

As a disadvantage, there is the need for more than one
representation code of the same information. It is up to the
author to decide how they will implement illustrations and
pictures in the document, but for compatibility with future
versions I recommend the use of this method
for pictures and graphics.

You may also want to try converting your image to an ASCII
representation of the file. JavE
(Java ASCII Versatile Editor) can do this conversion for you.
It can be downloaded from http://www.jave.de/. It has an easy to use GUI interface.